On the surface, these renovations and improvements, small though they may be, seem somewhat pointless in the context of Kissam Quad’s numbered days. Comparatively, though, the $1.3 million Housing is going to spend does not constitute much in the larger scheme of funding for housing on campus.
Considering the proportionally small amount of money the changes will constitute, however, the improvements should actually provide a welcome, albeit small, increase in the quality of living at a low cost. In addition, the funding itself comes from the housing fund — it isn’t as though the 42-inch flat screen will come out of an additional fee for students. The Munchie Marts will be positive additions for obvious reasons, and the replacing of the carpet seems like it will help the mold issues that have afflicted Kissam this year. The accompanying pledge to do more extensive testing and treatment this summer concerning the mold situation also may bring about a significant improvement in the quality of life next year. These developments represent an earnest effort on Housing’s part to mitigate the unfortunate state of the Kissam dorms, which should not go unappreciated.
Nevertheless, given the inevitable delays incurred with construction that imply the College Halls initiative may not begin within the two- to three-year time frame that is often floated around, the editorial board cannot help but balk a bit at the optimism with which the proposed changes have been presented. Perhaps this is cynical conjecture, but no undergraduate will suddenly be so stirred by new carpets in Dyer that they leap at the chance to live in Kissam.
The timing of the announcements also leaves a little to be desired. Not to be glib, but for those on campus who have relegated themselves to living in Kissam, or other current freshman housing, there seems to be a general distaste for the faint optimism that surrounds these improvements. Housing would have been wise to just let the housing-related anger simmer for a few weeks, at least until the lotteries were finished, so the improvements might have come as a pleasant surprise. Don’t ruin our pity party just yet, Housing.
The proposed improvements should facilitate a better living experience, to some extent, in Kissam, but in the end, it’s still Kissam.
